Metronomic capecitabine in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a phase II study.

Unlabelled: Anti-angiogenic treatment with targeted agents is effective in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of metronomic capecitabine in patients with HCC.

Methods: This single-institution phase II trial included 59 previously untreated patients with advanced HCC and 31 patients resistant to or intolerant of sorafenib.

Transcatheter embolization for giant splenic artery aneurisms: still an open question.

Transcatheter embolization is the mainstay of the therapy of splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) in patients with portal hypertension. It is indicated when the SAA diameter reaches 20 mm. Although endovascular techniques are effective and safe for the treatment of medium-sized SAAs, little is known about their applicability to large-sized SAAs.

Sarcoidosis and sarcoid-like reaction associated with pancreatic malignancy: are you able to read a riddle?

Context: The sarcoidosis is an idiopathic multisystem inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in the affected organs. The clinical picture includes non-specific systemic symptoms and organ-specific symptoms, but it is frequently asymptomatic. Although not fully understood, a clear association between sarcoidosis and malignancies has been reported.

Unexpected gamma glutamyltransferase rise increase during levetiracetam monotherapy.

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug (AED) with a favourable tolerability profile with little or no effect on liver function. We describe an epileptic patient who developed a significant increase in gamma glutamyltransferase (gammaGT) while on levetiracetam monotherapy.

Liver Cirrhosis in a Patient with Sickle Cell Trait (Hb Sβ Thalassemia) without Other Known Causes of Hepatic Disease.

Liver involvement in patients with sickle cell anemia/trait includes a wide range of alterations, from mild liver function test abnormalities to cirrhosis and acute liver failure. Approximately 15-30% of patients with sickle cell anemia present cirrhosis at autopsy. The pathogenesis of cirrhosis is usually related to chronic hepatitis B or C infection or to iron overload resulting from the many transfusions received by these patients in their lifetime.

Sleep disturbance and daytime sleepiness in patients with cirrhosis: a case control study.

Sleep disturbance and excessive daytime sleepiness have been reported in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate daytime somnolence and sleep complaints in a group of 178 patients with cirrhosis compared to a control group. Sleep features and excessive daytime sleepiness were evaluated by the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire (BNSQ) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).

Incidence of gallstone disease in Italy: results from a multicenter, population-based Italian study (the MICOL project).

Aim: To evaluate gallstone incidence and risk factors in a large population-based study.

Methods: Gallstone incidence and risk factors, were evaluated by structured questionnaire and physical examination, respectively, in 9611 of 11 109 (86.5%) subjects who were gallstone-free at the cross-sectional study.

Clinical effects of rifaximin in patientswith hepatic encephalopathy intolerant or nonresponsive to previous lactulose treatment: An open-label, pilot study.

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a metabolic-neurophysiologicsyndrome that occurs in patients with advanced hepatic disease. One of the main pathogenic mechanisms is represented by circulating toxins produced by the intestinal metabolism of nitrogenous compounds. The therapeutic approach to HE is mainly based on drugs that eliminate ammonia-producing bacteria.

Efficacy of lamivudine therapy for advanced liver disease in patients with precore mutant hepatitis B virus infection awaiting liver transplantation.

Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for end-stage liver disease resulting from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with a high rate of recurrence and reduced survival. Lamivudine is effective in inhibiting HBV replication in patients with chronic hepatitis. This study evaluated the impact of lamivudine on viral suppression, liver function, and disease severity in patients awaiting OLT with HBV e-minus strain infection.